On February 18, Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods College will host its second annual “Focus The Woods,” an all-day teach-in focused on sustainability. All presentations are free and open to the public.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), sustainability means “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” and during “Focus The Woods,” SMWC faculty and staff will share information about ways to be better stewards of the environment while promoting positive economic growth and social objectives.

“This event promotes interaction and discussion about current issues across the campus and academic disciplines,” said Tammy Tintjer, assistant professor of Biology at SMWC. “This year we will be discussing water.”

Fresh water, clean drinkable, potable water, is becoming a rare resource.  Many think that because the planet is two-thirds covered with water that we will never run out.  The actual mater is that fresh clean water is running out.

“Large bodies of water have tremendous effects on the environment of localized areas as well as global climate alterations.  For instance, a few years ago La Nina and El Nino were in the news regarding how increased or decreased temperatures of ocean regions were affecting rain and drought patterns on various continents.
Understanding the biochemistry behind water molecules will help the general public better understand how important water is to our climate and why the potential scarcity of fresh water is becoming more and more important,” shared Dr. Dave Grabowski, associate professor of Biology at SMWC.

“Too many people in affluent countries take for granted the availability of fresh water because all they have to do is turn on a faucet.  An increasing number of communities, especially in the western states are beginning to see the impact of growing populations in areas that are not naturally suited for large populations.  Counties and states are now fighting over water rights,” Grabowski continued.   “Attempts to move or redirect major water flows are having tremendous effects on local environments out west. All of this is having a huge effect on agriculture.  The more we know about water, how precious fresh clean usable water is and the many impacts that running out of water can have on local and global areas and economies, the better we will be able to make proper decisions about maintaining or returning the planet to a sustainable home for all life.”

A full schedule of “Focus The Woods” presentations with times and locations can be found online at www.smwc.edu. The schedule can also be obtained by contacting Tammy Tintjer at ttintjer@smwc.edu or 812-535-5262.